System and Method for Remote Control of Appliances Utilizing Mobile Location-Based Applications

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for using location information associated with wireless devices. The system includes a wireless device, a location system, and a feature server. The wireless device includes any wireless apparatus having wireless communications capabilities. The location system can generate location information pinpointing the location of the wireless device. The feature server can use the location information to determine whether to execute an action in accordance with subscriber rules. A large number of applications may be implemented to execute the action via a number of communication channels, including without limitation, a wireless communications network, a computer network, and a public switched telephone system, for example.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/555,239, filed Jul. 23, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/132,104, filed Jun. 3, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.8,260,239, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/298,149 filed Dec. 9, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,052, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/739,340, filed Dec. 19, 2000,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,977, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to consumer electronics andtelecommunication systems, and in particular, to a system and method forusing location information associated with wireless devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of wireless devices is increasing at a rapid rate. A majority ofthe people living in large metropolitan areas use one or more wirelessdevices on a daily basis. These people communicate with each other oraccess information on the Internet using, among other devices, wirelesstelephones, interactive pagers, personal digital assistants, andhandheld computers. As technology continues to improve, wireless deviceswill become more useful: at the same time, they will decrease in sizeand weight, making them more portable than ever. Consequently, consumersmay carry their wireless devices wherever they go. For some people,their wireless device will become indispensable.

The widespread use of wireless telephones in the United States hasprompted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate newrules related to emergency call processing. The FCC's wireless Enhanced911 (E911) rules require certain Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS)carriers to begin transmission of enhanced location and identityinformation in two phases. The first phase started on Apr. 1, 1998,required wireless service providers to transmit a 911 caller's numberand section of the cell site from which the call is originated to apublic safety answering point (PSAP). The second phase, starting on Oct.31, 2001, requires all wireless service providers to locate two-thirdsof all 911 callers within 125 meters of their physical locations. Inother words, for all 911 calls received, a PSAP must be able to pinpoint67% of the callers within 125 meters.

Under the FCC rules, wireless communication-networks and wirelesstelephones (or any wireless devices that can be used to call 911), mustprovide both the identity and location of the caller to a 911dispatcher. To provide a caller's identity, the wireless device willfurnish a device identification, e.g., a mobile identification number(MIN), indicating in most instances the telephone number of the device.To provide a caller's location, the wireless communication networks andwireless devices will use a network-based location system or a handheldlocation system installed within the wireless devices, or a combinationof the two systems. An example of a handheld location system is a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver. U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,734, which isincorporated herein by reference, discloses a GPS receiver and a methodfor processing GPS signals.

The E911 mandate has accelerated technological advances in technology.Many new innovations have been achieved to provide solutions to a widerange of problems. Although technological improvements bringunprecedented convenience to the world, they also come with someundesirable side effects, for example, the discourteous use of wirelesstelephones in public places such as on commuter trains or at movietheaters. In some places, such as in most courtrooms, all wirelessdevice users must have their devices turned off to prevent distractingringing and beeping noises. Users who forget to turn their wirelessdevices back on after they leave these places may miss important calls.

The use of wireless communications services is also expensive. Forexample, payment to wireless service providers for the use of wirelesstelephones is usually based on the amount of “airtime” consumed. Thelonger a user is on the telephone, the more expensive the conversationwill be. Charges for use of the wireless telephone call could besignificantly higher when the user is beyond his or her home market, ata location where the wireless telephone roams in a different marketserved by a different wireless service provider. Currently, to avoidexpensive roaming charges for answering incoming calls, the user mustremember to turn off the telephone when he or she leaves the homemarket. Alternatively, the user must remember not to answer an incomingcall when the telephone rings while it is roaming.

The existing wireless communications technology does not allow thewireless device users (the subscribers) to activate one or more servicefeatures based on the user's physical location, i.e., without the user'smanual activation of the features. For example, a wireless telephoneuser must manually activate a call forwarding feature subscribed to byhim or her if the user wants to have all calls forwarded to his or hervoice mailbox each time the user enters a public place such as a movietheater, a concert hall, or a courtroom. Once the user leaves the publicplace, the user must remember to deactivate the call forwarding feature.To reduce the amount of airtime used, the user must also activate a callforwarding feature to route all incoming calls intended for the wirelesstelephone to a home wireline telephone when the user is at home wherethe wireline telephone is located. Similarly, if the user wishes toaccept calls intended for the wireless telephone using a wirelinetelephone at work, the user must manually activate the call forwardingfeature to route calls to his or her office when the user is at work. Inshort, there is a need for a system and method to execute an action,such as routing telephone calls, based on location informationpinpointing the location of a wireless device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for using locationinformation associated with wireless devices. The location informationmay be used to execute an action. The action may be executed via anumber of networks, including a wireless communications network, apublic switched telephone network (PSTN), a local area network (LAN),and a global computer network. The wireless device may be any wirelessapparatus. For example, the wireless device may be a wireless telephone,a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, or an interactivepager. Furthermore, a system of the present invention may beincorporated as part of a wristwatch, an attaché case, or an automobile.

The present invention comprises a location system that can generate thelocation information pinpointing the physical location of the wirelessdevice. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the locationinformation comprises point coordinates such as a longitude and alatitude. The location system can be a network-based component or it canbe a handheld unit provisioned at the wireless device. A network-basedlocation system can generate the location information using a pluralityof methods. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thenetwork-based location system can generate the location informationusing triangulation across cell sites. An example of a handheld locationsystem is a GPS receiver that is in communication with a constellationof GPS satellites. In preferred embodiments, both network-based andhandheld location systems can be used to provide redundancy,reliability, and increased accuracy.

The present invention further comprises a feature server that uses thelocation information to execute an action through a network such as awireless communications network, a PSTN, a LAN, or a global computernetwork. The feature server comprises a memory, as an integral orseparate component, for storing data that includes, among other things,the location information, identity information of the wireless device,and subscriber rules. In preferred embodiments, the identity informationcomprises a unique identification number of the wireless device. Forexample, the mobile identification number (MIN) of a wireless telephonecould be used as the identity information. For other wireless devices,each device's serial number may be used as the identity information. Thesubscriber rules may be call routing instructions, preferences forimplementing a service, or other subscriber defined rules. The featureserver is preferably a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) compatiblecomponent having a wide range of wireless communication capabilities.For example, the feature server can communicate with various networks toprocess telephone calls and to operate a wide range of machinesincluding office equipment and home appliances.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a front endthrough which the feature server communicates with the networks. Inpreferred embodiments, a user of the present invention (the subscriber)can manage his or her service profile through the front end. Forexample, the subscriber may access the front end, via a global computernetwork or a PSTN, to define the subscriber rules for using the presentinvention.

The present invention can have a large number of applications. Oneembodiment of the present invention is suitable for wireless telephony.In this embodiment, the wireless device can be a wireless telephone. Thefeature server can activate one or more wireless telephone servicefeatures using the location information generated by the locationsystem. In other words, when the wireless telephone is in a firstlocation, a first service feature can be activated. Similarly, when thewireless telephone is in a second location, a different service featuremay be used. For example, a wireless telephone service subscriber to thepresent invention may have all calls intended for his or her wirelesstelephone automatically routed to a wireline telephone when thesubscriber enters the premises within which the wireline telephone islocated.

In another embodiment, the present invention can enable a subscriber totrack the location of a package during delivery. In this embodiment, thewireless device can be an electronic transmitter that is attached to thepackage. As the package is being delivered, the location systemgenerates location information pinpointing the location of the package.Based on the location information, the feature server can execute one ormore tasks, including informing the subscriber of the status of thedelivery and providing the recipient of the package an estimated time ofarrival.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the wirelessdevice is a handheld computer. Using the location informationpinpointing the location of the handheld computer, the subscriber,through the feature server, can communicate with a computer system, suchas a LAN or the Internet, to operate a machine. The machine may be, forexample, an electrical fan at the subscriber's home or a fax machine inthe subscriber's office.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide newuses of location information that indicates the location of the wirelessdevice.

It is another object of the present invention to provide wirelesstelephone users additional flexibility to manage their telephone calls.

It is another object of the present invention to keep the sender and thereceiver of a package well informed of the status of the delivery.

It is another object of the present invention to use locationinformation to remotely operate a machine such as office equipment or ahome appliance.

These and other objects of the present invention are described ingreater detail in the detailed description of the invention, theappended drawings, and the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of anembodiment of the present invention, and illustrating a wireless devicein motion, moving from an origin to a destination.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative embodiment of thesystem architecture of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of asubscriber using a first specific embodiment of the present inventionwithin a wireless communication network.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the firstspecific embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of asubscriber using a second specific embodiment of the present inventionin areas served by more than one wireless communication network.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using thesecond specific embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of using athird specific embodiment of the present invention to track the deliveryof a package.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the thirdspecific embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of usinga fourth specific embodiment of the present invention to remotelyoperate various office equipment and home appliances controlled by oneor more computer networks.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using thefourth specific embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system architecture of anembodiment of the present invention, and illustrating wireless device110 moving from origin 105 to destination 115. Wireless device 110 maybe any wireless apparatus. For example, wireless device 110 may be awireless telephone, a handheld computer, an interactive pager, or apersonal digital assistant. Wireless device 110 may also be incorporatedas a component of among other things, a wrist watch, an attaché case, oran automobile. Preferably, wireless device 110 is a WAP-compatible thinclient having a thin browser adapted to communicate with wirelesscommunication network 100 and global computer network 140.

To track where wireless device 110 is located, the system architecturecan include one or both of network-based location system 106 andhandheld location system 112. Network-based location system 106 may be acomponent of a wireless communication network 100. Handheld locationsystem 112 can be incorporated as part of wireless device 110. One orboth of network-based location system 106 and handheld location system112 can generate location information pinpointing the location ofwireless device 110. In preferred embodiments, both location systems arecompatible with the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the GlobalPositioning System (GPS). Handheld location system 112 is preferably aGPS receiver that is in wireless communication with a constellation ofGPS satellites. In preferred embodiments, both location systems can beused to provide redundancy, accuracy, and reliability. The locationinformation comprises point coordinates of wireless device 110. Thepoint coordinates comprise an X component and a Y component of acoordinate system. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the location information comprises a longitude and a latitude. Forincreased accuracy and granularity, the location information can furthercomprise an altitude. In preferred embodiments, the location informationcan pinpoint the location of wireless device 110 to within 125 meters,as required by the E911 mandate. Both location systems are preferablyWAP compatible components.

In preferred embodiments, feature server 102 is GIS, GPS, and WAPcompatible. Feature server 102 can receive the location information fromlocation systems 106 and 112. Feature server 102 can also receiveidentity information of wireless device 110. The identity informationmay comprise, for example, a serial number of wireless device 110. Theidentity information may also be a mobile identification number of awireless telephone. Like the location systems, feature server 102 may bea component separate from wireless device 110, as shown in FIG. 1. Inother embodiments, feature server 102 may be a portable unit that ispart of wireless device 110 as shown in FIG. 2. In still otherembodiments, only one of feature server 102 and location system 112 isprovisioned at wireless device 110.

Using the location information and the identity information of wirelessdevice 110, feature server 102 can be adapted to execute a large numberof actions according to subscriber rules, instructions, or preferencesprovided by a subscriber. For example, in an embodiment involvingwireless telephony in which wireless device 110 is a wireless telephone,feature server 102 could use the location information and the identityinformation to activate one or more service features subscribed to bythe subscriber who uses the wireless telephone. Any service featuresavailable in wireless communications may be activated or deactivated bythe present invention. These service features can include callforwarding, call placing or initiating, and voicemail greetingrecording. In an embodiment involving a global computer network, featureserver 102 could use the information to, for example, send an e-mail oroperate a machine over the global computer network.

The subscriber rules, instructions, or preferences may be specified bythe subscriber or created by feature server 102 based on thesubscriber's habits for using wireless device 110. The subscriber rulesmay be provided to feature server 102 via a number of channels. Forexample, the subscriber rules may be keyed in by the subscriber or otherpersons using a keypad on wireless device 110. Alternatively, thesubscriber rules may be provided via wireless communications network100, global computer network 140, and PSTN 150.

As discussed above, in preferred embodiments of the present invention,location systems 106 and 112, and feature server 102 are WAP compatible.WAP is an application environment and set of communication protocols forwireless devices designed to enable manufacturer-, vendor-, andtechnology-independent access to global computer network 140 andadvanced wireless telephony services provided by wireless communicationnetwork 100. An example of global computer network 140 is the Internet.WAP provides wireless Internet access through digital cellular networks,giving network users a menu driven method for downloading information,such as flight schedules and bank account balances, to wireless devicesfrom the Internet. WAP is described in WAP version 1.1, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Although shown as a separate component in FIGS. 1 and 2, memory 104could be an integrated component of feature server 102. Memory 104 canstore, for 1 example, the location information, the identityinformation, and the subscriber rules. In addition, memory 104 may bepopulated with, among other things, a database that contains pointcoordinates of locations or areas likely to be encountered or visited bywireless device 110. In addition, memory 104 may contain a databaserelating or associating popular places with their location informationincluding longitudes and latitudes. Preferably, information contained inmemory 104 is in the GIS or GPS format, or in both formats.

Origin 105 shown in FIG. 1 is an area delineated by nodes 161, 162,163and 164. Destination 115 is defined by nodes 165, 166, 167, and 168.Each of nodes 161 through 168 can be characterized by point coordinates.The point coordinates comprise an X component and a Y component of thesame coordinate system that defines the location information.Preferably, the point coordinates comprise a longitude and a latitude.Wireline telephones 107 and 117 are located at origin 105 anddestination 115, respectively.

In preferred embodiments, the present invention further comprises frontend 130, which is an intermediary component that connects feature server102 to wireless communications network 100, global computer network 140,and public PSTN 150. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wirelesscommunications network 100, global computer network 140, and PSTN 150are accessible by various machines, including computer 141, wirelesstelephone 142, and wireline telephone 151.

Front end 130 comprises a profile management system. Through front end130, a subscriber of the present invention may supply, modify, orotherwise manipulate service features controlled by feature server 102.For example, the subscriber may change the subscriber rules using frontend 130. The subscriber may access front end 130 using computer 141,wireless telephone 142, or wireline telephone 151, in addition towireless device 110 itself.

Interactions among the various components described above have a largenumber of applications in wireless communications and consumerelectronics. For the purposes of demonstration, some specificembodiments or examples of how the present invention may be implementedare discussed below. Although the examples best illustrate the presentinvention, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that otherembodiments are possible in light of the disclosure. In addition, whilethe system operation described herein and illustrated in the diagramsand flowcharts contains many specific details, these specific detailsshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as examples of preferred embodiments thereof. As would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, many other variations onthe system operation are possible, including differently grouped andordered method steps. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should bedetermined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating general steps involved in using anembodiment of the present invention. For clarity, references are made tocomponents shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In specific embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more of these general steps may be used.Furthermore, each of the general steps may include one or moresub-steps. Although these general steps and sub-steps are discussedherein sequentially, the steps may be implemented in any combination andin any logical order to accomplish a specific purpose. Furthermore,specific embodiments of the present invention may include additionalsteps not discussed herein.

In step 202, a subscriber to the service of the present invention, e.g.,the user of wireless device 110 can define a set of subscriber rules,instructions, or preferences. The subscriber rules relate or associatelocation information with the execution of an action. Referring to FIGS.1 and 2, assuming wireless device 110 is a wireless telephone, specificexamples of the subscriber rules may include:

(1) When the wireless telephone is in origin 105, i.e., within theboundaries delineated by nodes 161, 162, 163 and 164, feature server 102routes all calls intended for the wireless telephone to wirelinetelephone 107.

(2) When the wireless telephone is in destination 115, i.e., within theboundaries delineated by nodes 165, 166, 167, and 168, feature server102 routes all calls intended for the wireless telephone to wirelinetelephone 117.

(3) When the wireless telephone is in neither origin 105 nor destination115, use a default rule, e.g., feature server 102 allows the wirelesstelephone to accept calls.

In step 204, the subscriber rules can be stored in memory 104. Thesubscriber rules may be stored using a number of channels, including viaan input device on wireless device 110, other components of wirelesscommunications network 100, global computer network 140, and PSTN 150that are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The subscriber rules may be stored inmemory 104 using any known format. In preferred embodiments, thesubscriber rules can be contained in a database that relates a specificlocation with a specific action to be executed when wireless device 110is in the specific location.

Feature server 102 can operate under a default rule in step 206, e.g.,allowing wireless device 110 to accept all calls, unless wireless device110 is at origin 105 or destination 115. In step 208, feature server 102can monitor location information to determine whether wireless device110 has changed locations. As mentioned above, the location informationmay be generated by either handheld location system 112 or network-basedlocation system 106, or by a combination of both location systems. Thelocation systems can generate the location information as specified inthe subscriber rules. For example, the location information may begenerated at regular intervals. Furthermore, the location systems maygenerate the location information at designated or scheduled timesspecified by the subscriber rules.

In preferred embodiments, handheld location system 112 is a GPS receiverthat can generate the location information using information receivedfrom a constellation of GPS satellites. Network-based location system106 can generate the location system using triangulation across cellsites based on signal strength experienced by wireless device 110. Inother embodiments, the location information may be generated usingdesignation of cell sites. For example, if origin 105 and destination115 are within wireless coverage of two distinct and separate cell sitesof a wireless communications network in which wireless device 110operates, the location information pinpointing the location of wirelessdevice 110 may be determined based on which cell site is exchangingwireless signals with wireless device 110.

For discussion purposes, it is assumed that wireless device 110 isinitially located in origin 105, i.e., within the area delineated bynodes 161, 162, 163, and 164. The location system can generate initiallocation information and provide feature server 102 with the initiallocation information. Feature server 102 can store the initial locationinformation in memory 104, and route all calls intended for wirelessdevice 110 to wireline telephone 107. Assuming further that wirelessdevice 110 is then moved from origin 105 to destination 115, crossing afirst boundary defined by nodes 162 and 163 and a second boundarydefined by nodes 165 and 168. One or both location systems 106 and 112can generate a first subsequent location information after wirelessdevice 110 crosses the first boundary. The first subsequent locationinformation can then be provided to feature server 102. In step 210,feature server 102 can detect a change of location because the firstsubsequent location information is different from the initial locationinformation.

In step 212, a determination can be made on whether the change oflocation is material. The materiality depends on whether wireless device110 has been moved to a different location in which a different actionshould be executed by feature server 102. In the example, a change isconsidered not material unless wireless device 110 crosses the first orthe second boundaries. Here, since the first subsequent locationinformation indicates that wireless device 110 has crossed the firstboundary, the change is considered material.

In step 214, the subscriber can be notified that a material oractionable change of location has been detected, and the subscriber canbe given an opportunity to override the subscriber rules. In preferredembodiments, a notification provided to the subscriber may be executedusing any known method. For example, a vibration on, or a ringing tonefrom, wireless device 110 could be used to alert the subscriber that,unless the subscriber otherwise overrides, a new service feature will beactivated. The subscriber may then see or hear a message, e.g., “Youhave left origin 105, unless you press the Cancel key, all incomingcalls will be accepted.”

If in step 216 the subscriber chooses to override, she can press a keythat is responsive to the notification, e.g., the “Cancel” key, onwireless device 110. The process then goes to step 218, in which theexisting service feature will continue to operate, i.e., feature server102 will continue to forward all calls intended for wireless device 110to wireline telephone 107. Otherwise, the process goes to step 220, anda new service feature is activated according to the subscriber rules,i.e., stop forwarding calls to wireline telephone 107, and beginaccepting calls using wireless device 110.

If in step 208 a second subsequent location information is generatedbefore wireless device 110 crosses the second boundary, then in step210, when feature server 102 compares the second subsequent locationinformation with the first subsequent location information, featureserver 102 detects a change of location. In step 212, this new change oflocation is considered not material because wireless device 110 did notcross either the first or the second boundaries. In this case, theprocess returns to step 208.

If in step 208 a third subsequent location information is generatedafter wireless device 110 crossed the second boundary defined by nodes165 and 168, a comparison of the second and the third subsequentlocation information by feature server 102 in step 210 then indicatesthat another change of location has been detected. In step 212, featureserver 102 may determine that the change is material. In step 214, anotification, e.g., “You have entered destination 115, unless you pressthe Cancel key, all incoming calls will be forwarded to wirelinetelephone 117.” The subscriber may then decide in step 216 whether tooverride the subscriber rules.

Instead of defining the subscriber rules ahead of time in step 202 forfeature server 102 to follow, feature server 102 may be programmed todefine the subscriber rules based on the subscriber's habits for usingwireless device 110. For example, if all location information generatedby the location system and all actions executed by the subscriber arestored in memory 104 by feature server 102, after a definite period oftime, sufficient data would be collected to establish what thesubscriber's habits were for using wireless telephone 110. Thesubscriber may then decide whether to adopt the habits as the subscriberrules.

There are numerous applications and embodiments for the presentinvention. Set forth below are four specific examples of how the presentinvention may be used. Although these examples best illustrate thepresent invention, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciatethat these specific examples contain many specific details, and thesespecific details should not be construed as limitations on the scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should bedetermined not by the embodiments and the examples illustrated, but bythe appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of the useof a first specific embodiment of the present invention by a subscriberwho travels within a wireless communication network operated by awireless service provider. Home 302, automobile 304, building 306,courthouse 308, and theater 310 are places that the subscriber spendssome of his time most days, and each of these places are located withinwireless coverage of the wireless service provider.

In this example, the subscriber has wireless device 110. The subscriberhas a subscription to the service of the present invention. Thesubscriber also has a home wireline telephone and an office wirelinetelephone located at home 302 and the seventh floor of building 306,respectively. Although the subscriber does not want to miss any incomingcalls to his wireless device 110, he does not want to receive all callson his wireless device 110 all the time either. The subscriber wishes touse his wireless device 110 to receive calls only when his is not in oneof four places: home 302, the seventh floor of building 306, courthouse308, and theater 310. When at home 302, he wants all calls to beforwarded to his home wireline telephone. When on the seventh floor ofbuilding 306, lie wants all calls to be forwarded to the office wirelinetelephone. When in courthouse 308, he wants to have his wireless device110 temporarily disabled, and all calls are forwarded to his voicemailbox. When in theater 310, the subscriber wants to have an option todecide whether to receive an incoming call. In all other places, he isavailable to use his wireless device 110 to answer calls, receive voicemail messages, and using his wireless device 110 to access informationon a global computer network.

Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 4, the subscriber's wireless device 110may be a wireless telephone without handheld location system 112.Wireless device 110, network-based location system 106, feature server102, and memory 104 are all part of the wireless communication networkoperated by the wireless service provider of which the subscriber is acustomer. In a different example, the system architecture shown in FIG.2 may be used.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the firstspecific embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In step 322, each of home 302, theseventh floor of office 306, courthouse 308, and theater 310 isdelineated. Delineation may be performed using a number of methods. Onedelineation method comprises the use of at least three corner nodes.Another delineation method may comprise the use of one center node and aradius. Each node can comprise point coordinates. Preferably, the pointcoordinates comprise an X component and a Y component of a coordinatesystem. For increased capability, the point coordinates can furthercomprise a 2 component of the coordinate system. One coordinate systemthat is suitable for the present invention has longitude, latitude, andaltitude as its X, Y, and Z components, respectively.

For example, home 302 could be delineated as a circular area with a125-meter radius with a center node. Wireless device 110 can beconsidered to be within home 302 as long as location informationgenerated by location system 106 indicates that wireless device 110 iswithin the 125-meter circle, regardless of the altitude. The seventhfloor of building 306 could be defined as a block having eight nodes,each of which has X, Y, and Z components. Courthouse 308 and theater 310may be similarly defined using the same or other geometrical shapesincluding an ellipse or a polygon with at least three nodes for twodimensional delineations.

In step 324, specific call routing instructions can be defined andstored in memory 104 shown in FIG. 1 or 2. Storage of the call routinginstructions in memory 104 may be performed via different channelsincluding wireless communications network 100, global computer network140, and PSTN 150. Table 1 below contains call routing instructions forthe subscriber.

TABLE 1 Call Routing Instructions Location of wireless device 110Instructions Home 302 Forward calls to home wireline telephone SeventhFloor Building 306 Forward calls to office wireline telephone Courthouse308 Forward calls to voice mailbox Theater 310 Turn off ringer, turn onvibrator, and provide call management options All other places Enableringer and accept all incoming calls (the default rule)

The call routing instructions in Table 2 may be paraphrased as follows:

(1) When wireless device 110 is within 125 meters of the center node ofhome 302, all incoming calls are forwarded to the subscriber's homewireline telephone.

(2) When wireless device 110 is on the seventh floor of building 306,all incoming calls are forwarded to the subscriber's office wirelinetelephone.

(3) When wireless device 110 is in courthouse 308, all incoming callsare forwarded to the subscriber's voice mailbox.

(4) When wireless device 110 is in theater 310, the ringer feature ofwireless device 110 is disabled and the vibration feature is enabled. Inaddition, a menu of call management options is presented to thesubscriber on the display of wireless device 110.

(5) When wireless device 110 is not in any of the above four places, allincoming calls are alerted to the subscriber using the ringer feature(the default rule).

For convenience, both location delineations and call routinginstructions can be collectively referred to herein as subscriber rules.The subscriber rules could be initially set up, or subsequentlymodified, by the subscriber via a representative of the wireless serviceprovider, or through a “self-help” feature using, among other things,wireless device 110 itself, wireline telephone 151 through PSTN 150,computer 141 through global computer network 140, or wireless telephone142 through wireless communications network 100. Wireless communicationsnetwork 100 may be the same or a different network of which wirelessdevice 110 is a part.

In step 326, a location system, such as network-based location system106 shown in FIG. 1, can generate location information pinpointing thelocation of wireless device 110, and the location information isprovided to a feature server, such as feature server 102 shown inFIG. 1. As discussed above, the location information most preferablycomprises point coordinates having the X and Y, and possibly, Z,components of the coordinate system. The location information may begenerated using a number of different methods. One method is bytriangulation of signal strengths experienced by wireless device 110when in communication with a plurality of antennas. The locationinformation may be generated at regular intervals, e.g., every fiveminutes. In preferred embodiments, the location information can begenerated according to a schedule prepared by the subscriber as part ofthe subscriber rules. For example, the subscriber may specify that thelocation information be generated every five minutes between 8 a.m. and8 p.m. on Monday to Friday; and at all other times, every hour on thehour.

In step 328, feature server 102 can be adapted to review the locationinformation and determines whether the location information fits withinthe parameters of the subscriber rules. If the determination is in theaffirmative, the process goes to step 330. Otherwise, the processreturns to step 326.

Referring to FIG. 4 and assuming the subscriber brings wireless device110 to various locations in the following order: home 302, building 306,courthouse 308, and theater 310. When in transit from home 302 tobuilding 306, the subscriber uses automobile 304. In step 328, when thelocation information indicates that wireless device 110 is at home 302,an incoming call intended for wireless device 110 is forwarded to thehome wireline telephone in step 330. As soon as the subscriber leaveshome 302, i.e., he is more than 125 meters away from the center node ofhome 302, feature server 102, in step 330, stops forwarding all callsintended for wireless device 110 to the home wireline telephone. Also instep 330, feature server 102 can operate under the default rule, i.e.,it can allow wireless device 110 to accept all calls. Therefore, whilethe subscriber is in automobile 304 from home 302 to building 306, hereceives calls intended for wireless device 110 using wireless device110 itself.

Wireless device 110 can continue to receive calls even as the subscriberenters the parameter of building 306, i.e., the X and Y components ofthe location information are within the delineated boundaries ofbuilding 306. The call forwarding feature to his office wirelinetelephone is not activated until he reaches the seventh floor, i.e.,when the Z component of the location information matches the valuespecified in the subscriber rules. If the subscriber goes to a differentfloor of building 306, e.g., the sixth floor or the tenth floor,wireless device 110 can return to use the default rule, i.e., it canreceive all calls.

When the location information indicates that the subscriber has enteredcourthouse 308, feature server 102 immediately activates the voicemailfeature of the subscriber rules. Once the feature is activated, allincoming calls are automatically forwarded to the subscriber's voicemailbox. In other words, wireless device 110 does not ring as long as itremains within the delineated boundaries of courthouse 308. If avoicemail was left in the voice mailbox while the subscriber was incourthouse 308, then as soon as he leaves courthouse 308, he is alertedto the voicemail message by feature server 102 through a ringing tone(or a vibration signal) from wireless device 110.

When the subscriber enters the delineated boundaries of theater 308,another service feature is activated. This time, the subscriber isalerted to an incoming call by the vibrator feature of wireless device110 instead of the ringer feature. Through a display on wireless device110, the subscriber is given a list of call management options outliningwhat he could do with the incoming call. For example, the subscriber isasked to select one option from the choices of “Answer,” “Hold,”“Reject,” “Voice Mail,” and “Forward to Office.” If the subscriberdecides to accept the call but at a few seconds later, he can simplechoose “Hold,” and the caller will hear a recorded voice of thesubscriber, e.g., “I'm in the theater, please wait for a few moreseconds as I find my way to a place where I can talk.” The subscriberthen excuses himself, finds a convenient place to talk, and pressesanother key on wireless device 110 so that he could start talking withthe caller. Alternatively, if the subscriber does not want to take thecall, he could choose one of the remaining options. As soon as thesubscriber leaves theater 310, the default rule is in operation againunless the subscriber in a location that is defined by the subscriberrules.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of using asecond specific embodiment of the present invention by a subscriberwhose traveling covers areas served by more than one wirelesscommunication network. In this example, the subscriber lives and worksin home city 402 where she is a customer of a wireless service provider.She travels occasionally to foreign city 406 for vacation. She visitsdomestic city 410 regularly to conduct business. The wireless serviceprovider has roaming agreements with other wireless service providers indomestic city 410 and foreign city 406. As a result, the subscriber mayuse her wireless device 110 in home city 402, domestic city 410, andforeign city 406. Airplanes 404 and 408 and train 412 are vehicles thattransport the subscriber from a city to another city. In thisembodiment, the subscriber rules are established based on thesubscriber's habits for using wireless device 110. In this example,wireless device 110 may be a wireless telephone. The location system canbe a handheld unit such as handheld location system 112 shown in FIG. 2.Furthermore, feature server 102 and memory 104 can be part of wirelessdevice 110 as shown in FIG. 2. Again, the system architecture shown inFIG. 1 may also be used.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using thesecond specific embodiment shown in FIG. 6. In step 422, the locationsystem can generate location information pinpointing the location ofwireless device 110 whenever wireless device 110 is used. The locationinformation and the habits of the subscriber for using wireless device110 can be stored, for example, in memory 104 that is in communicationwith feature server 102. For example, feature server 102 can record inmemory 104 frequently dialed telephone numbers and relates thosefrequently dialed numbers with the location information and the time atwhich the calls were made.

In step 424, after feature server 102 has built up substantialexperience with the subscriber's movements and habits, e.g., two months,the subscriber's habits for using wireless device 110 can be reduced toa finite number of repeated circumstances. In step 426, feature server102 can convert the habits into subscriber rules. In a specific example,the subscriber rules may contain the following call routing instructionsand user preferences:

(1) When wireless device 110 is in home city 402, accept all incomingcalls.

(2) When wireless device 110 is in foreign city 406 where wirelessdevice 110 was never used in the last two months, an incoming call isforwarded to his voice mailbox and an announcement: “I'm out of town,please leave a message,” is played as a greeting.

(3) When wireless device 110 is in domestic city 410 where he useswireless device 110 to accept calls from a selected list of callers,only incoming calls from those callers are acceptable. All otherincoming calls are forwarded to his voice mailbox.

(4) When wireless device 110 is in an airport, notify the subscriberthat he is in the airport, and wireless device 110 will be turned off inthirty minutes unless he overrides it or specify a time at which to turnoff wireless device 110.

(5) When wireless device 110 is approaching home city 402 on train 412and train 412 is about 20 minutes away from a train station in home city402, call a driver to pick up the subscriber.

In step 428, the subscriber rules can be presented to the subscriber forher approval. The subscriber rules may be displayed on the mini-browseron wireless device 110 or they may be played as voice recording. If thesubscriber does not approve the subscriber rules, the process return tostep 422. If the subscriber rules are modified or otherwise approved bythe subscriber, the process goes to step 430.

Referring to FIG. 6 and assuming the subscriber is going through thefollowing journey: arriving at a first airport in home city 402; flyingon airplane 404; arriving at a second airport; staying in foreign city406, leaving the second airport; flying on airplane 408; arriving at athird airport; staying in domestic city 410; riding on train 412; andarriving at a train station in home city 402. Steps 430 through 434 ofFIG. 7 may be described as follows.

In step 430, location system 112 can generate the location informationat regular intervals, e.g., every five minutes. When the subscriber andwireless device 110 arrives at the first airport in home city 402 andgenerate the location information there, feature server 102 canrecognize the location information as a triggering event, i.e., wirelessdevice 110 is in an airport that is identified in the subscriber rules.In step 432, feature server 102 can review the subscriber rules, anddetermine that the appropriate action is to alert the subscriber thatshe is in the airport. In step 434, feature server 102 can ring wirelessdevice 110, and display the message: ‘You are now at the airport. Thistelephone will be powered off in thirty minutes unless you enter anumber greater than 30.” Suppose the departure time is 60 minutes awayfrom the time the message is displayed, and the subscriber wants to waitfor an incoming call, the subscriber may use the keypad to enter “60,”delaying the auto power off feature from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Whenthe 60 minutes duration expires, feature server 102 can power offwireless device 110. This feature prevents the subscriber fromforgetting to power off her wireless device 110 when she enters airplane404.

Steps 430 through 434 are then repeated as the subscriber continues herjourney. When the subscriber powers on wireless device 110 in foreigncity 406, location system 112 can generate new location information instep 430. When feature server 102 receives the new location information,it knows, based on the subscriber rules, that wireless device 110 is ina city where the subscriber does not accept incoming calls. Therefore,although the subscriber may use wireless device 110 to make outgoingcalls, all incoming calls will be forwarded to her voice mailbox,thereby saving her roaming fees for answering the incoming calls. If acall is made by a caller to wireless device 110, feature server 102, instep 434, can play the announcement to the caller “I'm out of town,please leave a message.”

As the subscriber continues her journey from foreign city 406 todomestic city 410 using airplane 408, similar steps are repeated. Forexample, the subscriber is reminded about the auto power off featurewhen she is in the second and third airports.

When the subscriber arrives in domestic city 410 that she visitsfrequently, feature server 102, in step 432, can review locationinformation generated by location system 112 in step 430, and acceptsincoming calls from designated callers in accordance with the subscriberrules in step 434.

When the subscriber is on train 412, location system 112 can continue togenerate location information, and feature server 102 can continue toreview the location information. As soon as the train is estimated toarrive at the train station in home city 402, feature server 102 canmake a call to a taxi service. This feature is done even if thesubscriber is sleeping. The taxi service would hear a voice recording,“This is Ms. Smith. I am 20 minutes away from the train station. Pleasecome to pick me up.”

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of using athird specific embodiment of the present invention to track the deliveryof a piano from factory 502 to church 512 in city 510. Along thedelivery route, the piano will be shipped using vessel 504, stored inwarehouse 506, and delivered by truck 508. In this embodiment, ahandheld location system, such as location systems 112 shown in FIG. 2can provisioned on wireless device 110. Wireless device 110 in thisembodiment may be an electronic transmitter. The preferred locationsystem 112 in this embodiment is a GPS receiver. Wireless device 110 canbe easily attached to the piano. Location system 112 is in communicationwith a feature server, such as feature server 102 shown in either FIG. 1or FIG. 2. Feature server 102 may be part of wireless device 110 or itmay be residing at a local area network of the subscriber. In thisexample, the subscriber is the delivery company. As part of its deliveryservices, the subscriber provides its customer with a service of thepresent invention through which the piano manufacturer and the pianopurchaser may specify before the delivery begin how they would like tobe informed of the delivery status.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using the thirdspecific embodiment shown in FIG. 8. In step 522, delivery notificationpreferences (the subscriber rules) can be defined. The subscriber rulesmay contain inputs from the delivery company, the piano manufacturer,and the piano purchaser. The subscriber rules can be stored in a memory,such as memory 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Specific examples of thesubscriber rules may include the

(1) When wireless device 110 is attached to the piano that is ready fordelivery in factory 502, notify the piano purchaser that the piano hasbeen packaged and is ready for delivery.

(2) While vessel 504 is carrying the piano, monitor the speed of thevessel, and periodically inform the subscriber of its status with anestimated time of arrival.

(3) When the piano is stored in warehouse 506, dispatch truck 508 topick up the piano.

(4) While truck 508 is carrying the piano, periodically calculate theestimated time of arrival by monitoring the speed at which the truck ismoving and the distance traveled.

(5) When truck 508 enters the city limits of city 510 where church 512is located, notify the piano purchaser about the pending arrival.

(6) When the piano is delivered to the piano purchaser and wirelessdevice 110 is detached, print a log documenting the delivery for thepiano manufacture and the delivery company.

Once these delivery preferences or subscriber rules are defined, theycan be programmed into feature server 102 and memory 104. In step 524,wireless device 110 can be attached to the piano and activated.

Once activated, location system 112 can generate location information instep 526. The location information may be generated continuously or atregular intervals, and the location information can be provided tofeature server 102. In other embodiments, the location information maybe generated at specific times as programmed in the subscriber rules. Instep 528, feature server 102 can review the location information. If instep 530 feature server 102 receives location information that isdefined in the subscriber rule, e.g., the piano is now somewhere in thePacific Ocean on vessel 504, feature server 102 can execute an action instep 532. In these instances, the appropriate action is to review thelocation information and the speed at which the vessel is traveling, andestimated an arrival time. The appropriate action may further includesending a message to the headquarters of the subscriber informing thesubscriber of the status of the status of the delivery. Steps 528through 532 are repeated as the piano makes its way to the pianopurchaser.

For example, when the piano is stored in warehouse 506, feature server102 can execute another action. This time it may notify the subscriberthat the piano has arrived in warehouse 506, and the subscriber candispatch a truck to pick up the piano. When the piano is being carriedby truck 508, location system 112 can continue to generate locationinformation and feature server 102 can continue to monitor the locationof the piano and estimate the time of arrival. As soon as truck 508enters the city limits of city 510, feature server 102 can send amessage to the piano purchaser. The message may be a voice recordingstating: “The piano you ordered has entered the city limits. It shouldbe arriving at the church momentarily.” Once the piano purchaser acceptsthe piano, wireless device 110 can be removed. A log of the delivery canthen printed at the headquarters. The log may then be given to the pianomanufacturer for its files.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of usinga fourth specific embodiment of the present invention by a fourthsubscriber to activate a machine such as an office equipment and a homeappliance controlled by one or more computer networks. In thisembodiment, wireless device 110 of the present invention may be handheldcomputer 610. Appliance 607 and equipment 617 are located in home 605and office 615, respectively. Feature server 102 is in communicationwith handheld computer 610 and front end 130. Although shown as separatecomponents, feature server 102, memory 104, and location system 106 maybe integrated into handheld computer 610. Front end 130 is incommunication with one or more computer networks 640 and at least onetelephone network 650. Home 605 is delineated by nodes 615, 616, 617,and 618. Office 615 is delineated by nodes 611, 612, 613, and 614.Communication link 641 connects appliance 607 to computer network 640,and communication link 642 connects equipment 617 to computer network640. Computer network 640 may be a local area network. Computer network640 may also be the global computer network known as the Internet.Feature server 102, memory 104, and location systems 106 and 112communicate with handheld computer 610 via communication link 108. Eachof feature server 102, memory 104, and location system 106 is preferablyprovisioned at handheld computer 610.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in using thefourth specific embodiment shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, thesubscriber can define subscriber rules through an input device onhandheld computer 610 in step 622. The subscriber rules may include aprovision that activates the location system in step 624 to generatelocation information pinpointing the location of handheld computer 610at specific times. For example, feature server 102 can be programmedwith subscriber rules such that location system 106 can generatelocation information at 8:55 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. on Mondays throughFridays. Location system 106 can be otherwise inactive. The subscriberrules in this specific example may include the following:

(1) Generate location information at 8:55 a.m. on Mondays throughFridays. If handheld computer 610 is more than ten minutes away fromoffice 615, call someone in office 615 to inform him that the subscriberis more than ten minutes away from office 615. Otherwise, turn onequipment 617 via computer network 640.

(2) Generate location information at 5:55 p.m. on Mondays throughFridays. If handheld computer 610 is more than 30 minutes from home 605,call someone at home 605. Otherwise, turn on appliance 607 via computernetwork 640.

At 8:55 a.m. on a Monday, location system 106 can generate the firstlocation information in step 624. In step 626, feature server 102 canreview the location information. If in step 628 it is determined thathandheld computer 610 is still more than ten minutes away from office615, feature server 102, in step 630, can make a call to a wirelinetelephone in office 615 through telephone network 650 to let someoneknow that the subscriber is more than ten minutes away from office 615.Otherwise, if in step 628 it was determined that the subscriber is fewerthan ten minutes away from office 615, then feature server 102 in step632 sends a message to computer network 640 to turn on equipment 617.

Similarly, at 5:55 p.m., location system 106 can generate a secondlocation information in step 624. In step 626, feature server 102 canreview the location information. If in step 628 it is determined thatthe subscriber is not within 30 minutes from home 605, feature server102 can make a call, in step 630, through telephone network 650 to awireline telephone at home 605 that the subscriber is more than 30minutes away from home 605. Otherwise, feature server 102 can activateappliance 607 in step 632 via computer network 640.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments and specific examples of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scopeof the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto,and by their equivalents.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by an appliance, a message from afeature server via a network, the message instructing the appliance toperform an operation; and performing, by the appliance, the operation inaccordance with the message.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein themessage is sent by the feature server to the appliance when a wirelesscommunication device is in a geographical location that matches alocation specified in a rule.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theappliance comprises a home appliance.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe appliance comprises office equipment.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the operation comprises turning on the appliance.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the operation comprises turning off the appliance.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a local areanetwork.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprise a globalcomputer network.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature serveris built-in to a wireless communication device.
 10. An appliance thatperforms operations comprising: receiving a message from a featureserver via a network, the message instructing the appliance to performan operation, and performing the operation in accordance with themessage.
 11. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the message is sent bythe feature server to the appliance when a wireless communication deviceis in a geographical location that matches a location specified in arule.
 12. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the appliance comprises ahome appliance.
 13. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the appliancecomprises office equipment.
 14. The appliance of claim 10, wherein theoperation comprises turning on the appliance.
 15. The appliance of claim10, wherein the operation comprises turning off the appliance.
 16. Theappliance of claim 10, wherein the network comprises a local areanetwork.
 17. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the network comprise aglobal computer network.
 18. The appliance of claim 10, wherein thefeature server is built-in to a wireless communication device.
 19. Atangible computer-readable medium comprising computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by an appliance, cause the appliance toperform operations comprising: receiving a message from a feature servervia a network, the message instructing the appliance to perform anoperation; and performing the operation in accordance with the message.20. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein theoperation comprises turning on the appliance or turning off theappliance.